Peace advocates declare “All Out Peace” in Lanao

Peace advocates declare “All Out Peace” in Lanao

By PHIL PA-LAN

MAIGO, Lanao del Norte (March 25 ) – A peace rally was conducted today at the Maigo Central School Gymnasium to promote peace in Lanao del Norte and discourage war.

Dubbed “Panagtagbo Alang Sa Kalinaw”,  the one-day peace rally was held in celebration of the 2015 Lanao Month of Peace in line with the Provincial Ordinance No. 01-2008 which declared the whole month of March  as the Lanao Month of Peace.

The peace rally was spearheaded by the Civil Society Organization Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development (CSOLN-PPD) headed by Chairman Musa Mohamad Sanguila, Director of Pakigdait, Inc. with the support of  the multi-sectoral groups which include the local government units of Maigo, Tangkal  and Lanao del Norte, the religious sector, the academe, women and youth sector, national government agencies, such as the Department of Education (DepEd),  the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Teresita “Ging” Q. Deles, and non-government organizations such as the Non-Violence Peace Force, among others.

The celebration started with the “Panagtagbo Sa Kalinaw” Peace Walk participated in by the Civil Society Organizations, People’s Organizations, Religious Leaders, Women and Youth Sectors representing the North Delegation and the AFP, the LGU, the NGA and the PNP, representing the South Delegation.  The two delegations marched towards each other and met at the center ground  of Maigo Central School followed by  handshakes and peace greetings by the two delegation members.

An interfaith prayer was led by an Ustadz for the Muslim delegates, and Bishop Stephen L. Villaester for the Christian delegates,  followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem accompanied by the  Molave Warrior Band of the 15^th Infantry Battalion.

Municipal Mayor Rafael C. Rizalda of Maigo acknowledged the guests and  participants as he welcomed them to  the peace rally and Maigo, Lanao del Norte,  while   CSOLN-PPD Chairman Musa Sanguila  explained  the objective and rationale of the activity.  He said the “all out war” was declared on March 22, 2000 and we declare an “all out peace” today, March 25, 2015.  He said the declaration of the whole month of March as Lanao month of peace was an initiative of then Provincial Governor and now House Representative Imelda “Angging”  Q. Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte.  He said similar activities were held in Kauswagan, Bacolod and soon in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.

Provincial Vice Governor Ma. Cristina N. Atay read the Provincial Ordinance declaring the month of March as Lanao month of Peace.  She said it was in line with a Provincial Board Resolution,   expressing the aspirations of the people to continue building peace in Lanao del Norte, and moved by then PBM Casan Maquiling and seconded by PBM Mastura Usman and unanimously carried by the Board.

Col. Gilbert Gapay, 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, who  represented Brigadier General Gerardo Barrientos, Jr., Ist Infantry Division commander said, “Peace begins with a smile” as he asked everyone in the school gym to give their sweetest smile and smile to everyone around them.

Col. Gapay said, “Fifteen (15) years ago in March 2000, the government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had a bloody clash in Lanao which resulted into loses of lives and many other things.  He said the incident is still fresh in the minds of some of us, but the people had risen up and focused on activities leading to progress and development and embarked on other undertakings to continue the momentum for growth and development in the community..  He said through the leadership of the visionary governor, Hon. Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, the province has succeeded in maintaining peace in the provincial community as well as embarked on socio-economic projects to uplift the living conditions of the people..  He said the AFP will continue to be your partner in the promotion of peace and development in Lanao del Norte.  He said the AFP will stand against people who disturb the peace and threaten the security of the area.  He said the AFP which implements the Bayanihan IPSP will continue to collaborate with the people in the promotion of peace in the communities.  He said without your support, we can not attain our goals of peace and development.  He said the AFP wants to bring economic development down to the grassroots level.

Col Gapay  said the security situation in Lanao del Norte is stable and peaceful as he stressed that the peace talks in Lanao del Norte is very much alive.  He added the ceasefire agreement is still holding in Lanao del Norte. 

Col. Gapay  said with the collective efforts of all stakeholders in the province, the local government units, the civil society organizations and the security sector, including the local populace, we hope to continue the peace efforts with more vigor and more intensity for the benefit of the entire population of the provincial community.

In his peace message, Provincial Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo reminded the people that our true objective is “walang gulo”  (no trouble).  He said the higher officials should concentrate in forging peace with the MILF, while the government officials below will try to do their jobs in uplifting the lives of the people.  He said the Muslims and Christians in Lanao del Norte are united that’s why Lanao del Norte is very peaceful.  He said the  MILF should stay foot and not go out of their areas with firearms.  He said we have to work together to keep peace and reach the grassroots.  He said If there are more of the bloody disturbances like what happened in Kauswagan and Kolambugan , we will all be losers.  He said we want to give the people what they need.  He said if they need water, we will give them water,  if they need roads, we will give them roads, if they need classrooms, we will give them classrooms, if they need teachers’ items, we will give them the teachers’ items, and if they need livelihood, we will give them livelihood.  He said the people on the national level should focus on the peace talks and the people at the local level will stand strong and focus on keeping  peace with the active participation of the AFP and the PNP and the community at large.  He said the MILF should not go out of the boundary. 

Gov. Dimaporo stressed that all of us must move in one direction in the attainment of peace and order in the community.

Gov. Dimaporo also said that the  BBL core territory in Lanao del Norte should only be limited to the six (6) municipalities of Tagoloan, Baloi, Pantar, Munai, Tangkal, and Nunungan, but they have to vote in the plebiscite.  He said If they decide to join the Bangsamoro Government, then that is their decision.  He said the voice of the people in the six towns must be heard.

Police Senior Supt Antonio Taylan, deputy regional director of PNP Region 10, who represented Police Chief Supt. Agrimero A. Cruz, Jr. said the PNP would like the people to live in the absence of fear, conflict and violence, He said the PNP has prepared the road map towards keeping peace in Mindanao.  He said the Panagtagbo Alang Sa Kalinaw should serve its worthy cause and strengthen peace in the country and the communities.

Primitivo Benetiz, who hails from Maigo and  an internally displaced person,  narrated how hard it is when there is war.  He said we have no security.  He said as we work in the farm, we are always ready for evacuation since we can not fight because we do not have any fire arms being ordinary civilians.  He said that they are very thankful to the 15^th Infantry Battalion for supporting the Arms to Farms Program.  He said through the program he was able to go to Bukidnon for training on farming.  He said the program is very good and hopes that the program will continue to benefit the IDPs and farmers.

He said he hopes that our high officials will be blessed with  enlightened minds and collectively  and move for the protection of the civilians and that peace will continue to reign in our communities.

For her part, Edna Yurong, who represented the CSOLN-PPD said that they are very happy that the Lanao month of peace started in 2008.  She said in war no one wins, everybody is a loser.  She said the group is very active in Bantay Bayanihan.  She said the group is monitoring the activities relative to peace in Lanao del Norte.  She said the children are the beneficiaries of the peace that we will provide them through our collective efforts. She said life is very precious and we have no other choice but to embrace peace. She said we have to work for peace.

She also said that with limited funds, the group was able to install a water system for the use of five (5) barangays.

For his part, MNLF Border Commander Abedin M. Sanguila said, the MNLF Border Command supports the peace initiatives of the national, provincial and local governments as the Command is also for peace and not for war.

The lady of ceremonies read the resolutions of the Sangguniang Bayans of Maigo, Tangkal, Bacolod  and Magsaysay expressing full support to the peace initiatives of the government and  Secretary Deles and the OPAPP.  The SB resolution of Tangkal expressed support of the peace initiatives of the national and local governments, as it also expressed support of the peace initiatives of President Aquino.  The ABC Resolution of Bacolod expressed support of the on-going efforts of the government on the PAMANA Projects.  The SB resolution of Maigo honors  Secretary Deles and adopted her as daughter of Maigo. The other SB resolution of Maigo expressed full support of the peace initiatives of Secretary Deles and the OPAPP. The SB resolution of Magsaysay  supports Sec. Deles and  the OPAPP as one of the advocates of lasting peace in the country.

Undersecretary Luisito G. Montalbo who represented Secretary Teresita  “Ging” Q. Deles of the OPAPP said, that peace celebration like this is a very important occasion as it intends to promote peace and prevent war which is costly.  He said in war, many loss their jobs, schools are closed, and many become widows and orphans.  He said we say no to war and yes to peace.  He said the holding of the peace celebration is a credit of the leadership of the provincial government. He said the Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw is a significant event.  He urged the people to work together in making Lanao del Norte and the country  peaceful communities.  He said through the joint efforts of the various sectors, the celebration of the Lanao month of peace has become a reality.  He said our children will not experience war because we are doing everything to prevent war.

Usec Montalbo also thanked the municipalities for their resolutions of support of the peace initiatives of Sec. Deles and the OPAPP.

In an interview with media after the program, Usec Montalbo said that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the product of the collective efforts of the government, the MILF, the community members and the stakeholders.  He said we hope that the BBL will be enacted in Congress as a response to our commitment to peace.  He said the celebration of the Lanao Month of Peace counters the voices that spoil the commitment to peace.

In his closing remarks, Provincial Board Member Tawantawan Cauntongan said , that peace has no boundaries as it affects the family, the neighbors, and the community at large, irrespective of religion and ethnicity.  He said Muslims and Christians should be united to achieve peace in Lanao del Norte.  He also urged the people in government to work together in keeping peace in the province.  He said the Mamasapano incident will not happen in Lanao del Norte because we are united in working for peace in the province.  He said as chairman of the Local Monitoring Team, the people should be vigilant,  He said any suspicious persons should immediately be reported to authorities to prevent any untoward incident in the community. He also thanked the people who joined the celebration of the Lanao month of Peace saying that those who joined the celebration had the laudable intention to promote peace in Lanao del Norte.

After the program, all the participants and stakeholders signed the covenant for peace signifying their commitment to work for peace in Lanao del Norte followed by the tossing of balloons and  the release of the doves by both,  the North and South delegations.

Also present during the peace rally were Lt. Col.  Leomar Jose M.Doctolero, 15^th Infantry Battalion commander; Police SSupt. Madid Paitao, provincial director of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office; Former Board Member Aguam Malo, municipal administrator of Tangkal, who represented Tangkal Mayor Fatima Tomawis, Maigo municipal and barangay officials, DepEd officials, military commanders, police officers and many others.